LATEST TAB ODDS: OUR experts give you an early shot at finding a winner as they look at the major races around the nation this weekend.

Last week ... Well, sadly we entered uncharactered waters last week with not one of our expects finding the winner’s enclosure with their best bets. TAB’s Nick Quinn did manage to hit the bullseye with his value selection when Merriest saluted at $8. While last week’s result is unprecedented since introducing this format, we’re not afraid to not disclose information and maintain that carrying the past five performances of each tipster ensures you can gauge our strike rate and consistency. Let’s put last week’s aberration behind us and get back to doing what we do best and finding winners.

Should have won a stakes race to round out her last campaign and she goes like a bomb fresh. Her two recent trials have been outstanding and the only thing that will stop her is if the fence is on fire and they can’t make ground. On a fair track, she looks a good thing.

TAB Fixed Odds: $2.25

Value bet: LIKE A SHOT (Race 5, No. 4)

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

JOHN DAVIS (Daily Telegraph). Form: 462633

I THOUGHT SO (Race 2, No. 3)

With the rail out 2m, the track will favour frontrunners and I Thought So fits this bill perfectly. Beat subsequent PJ Bell Handicap winner Diddums at Warwick Farm two starts ago and has since won an Open Class trial at Rosehill beating Nudierudie.

TAB Fixed Odds: $11

Value bet: COUNTESS MARINOV (Race 10, No. 10)

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

STEPHEN ZAMMIT (Daily Telegraph). Form: 55x48

I THOUGHT SO (Race 2, No. 3)

From the yard of David Pfieffer, this colt dashed away to win easily at Warwick Farm on a wet track on March 8. Should have won his next start but was erratic in the straight when beaten a nose in the Gosford Guineas. Made to barrier trial after that effort and that resulted in an impressive 2 len win over 900m at Rosehill on April 10. Ready to win again.

TAB Fixed Odds: $11

Value bet: NAPOLI VIA (Race 10, No. 2)

TAB Fixed Odds: $6

Nieta returns on the back of two exceptional trials and looked poised to be there at the business end.Source:News Corp Australia

SHAYNE O’CASS (Sportsman). Form: 06x10

DARHAD (Race 1, No. 2)

A very handsome chestnut son of the mighty All Too Hard out of the stakes-winning mare Kakakakatie. This colt had the three runs, all of them good, for Hong Kong bound Michael Freedman and is now with Team Hawkes. If he runs up to his recent trial, he wins.

TAB Fixed Odds: $8

Value bet: HIMALAYA DREAM (Race 6, No. 3)

TAB Fixed Odds: $21

SIMON MOY (SuperRacing). Form: 19114

BIG DUKE (Race 8, No. 6)

Seems like he has been up for eternity and he has. So does the rescheduled Sydney Cup throw out his extraordinary long campaign? We will know sooner enough. That aside, his form has been exemplary and drops 6kg on his dominant Gp2 Chairman’s Handicap win at this track on similar surface on April 1. With just 52kg on his back is too good to be ignored.

Matt Stewart returns from his vacation after finding the mark with five of his six previous best bets. Let’s hope the break has served him well and he’s ready to fire first-up with French Emotion (above). Picture: Ian CurrieSource:News Corp Australia

CAULFIELD

MATT STEWART (Herald Sun). Form: 1101x

FRENCH EMOTION (Race 6, No. 1)

The set weight/penalties conditions play to the better horses and French Emotion has a clear class edge. One of few to make inroads on feather-weighted all the way winner last start

TAB Fixed Odds: $3

Value bet: IRISH OPTIMISM (Race 2, No. 9)

TAB Fixed Odds: $11

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (SuperRacing). Form: 51218

SWORD OF LIGHT (Race 9, No. 12)

She who looks weighted to win in this grade, I’m hoping two tough runs won’t leave her flat.

TAB fixed odds: $2.80

Value bet: BENZ (Morphettville, Race 8, No. 2)

TAB fixed odds: $7

NICK QUINN (TAB). Form: 24142

BURNING FRONT (Race 3, No. 1)

Had his five race-winning streak broken last start after going at an unsustainable lead up front, drops back in grade and looks well placed to make it a perfect four from four at Caulfield.

Nick Quinn is prepared to get back on Burning Front (above) despite his winning sequence being broken last start. Picture: Andy BrownbillSource:News Corp Australia

DOOMBEN

NATHAN EXELBY (The Courier Mail). Form: 1117x

LAND OFFICE (Race 4, No. 4)

Put the writing on the wall at Toowoomba last time against some handy restricted rivals and this looks a race of far less depth. Has shown the ability to run quick time around Doomben and should be too classy for these.

Free-running filly who won first two in great style then overhauled late at Listed level last time. Expect her to be prominent again and sure to take plenty of catching with top jockey Jamie Kah in the saddle.

TAB Fixed Odds: $4

Best value: BENZ (Race 8, No. 2)

TAB Fixed Odds: $7

LINCOLN MOORE (The Advetiser) Form: 124x6

ILLUSTRIOUS LAD (Race 7, No. 1)

Comes back to Adelaide after failing to fire in three runs this time in Group 1 level.

Led when fifth behind Terravista first-up in the Lightning before being beaten just over five lengths by Redkirk Warrior at Silent Sedition at his past two.